I don’t know if the smell of gourmet coffee brewing, vanilla cinnamon rolls baking, or the warm and welcoming atmosphere greeting you when you walk in the door, but working for Panera Bread is a pretty nice gig.
This cafe bakery is famous for its 100% clean menu and commitment to offering healthy meal options. To succeed and maintain a good reputation, the restaurant must hire candidates who do well during the interview process.
The first step to landing a job at Panera Bread is to ace the interview, regardless of your experience level or why you’re looking for a new challenge. My goal in this article is to help you prepare for your Panera Bread interview by discussing the most common questions, how to answer them, and the interview process.
General Qualifications for Working at Panera Bread
In this industry, being a team player, possessing excellent customer service skills, and exhibiting a positive vibe are vital. For positions at Panera Bread, you must be outwardly friendly and generally upbeat. You are also expected to have a basic understanding of the menu and enthusiasm for the brand.
The Interview Stages
Interviews at Panera Bread will vary depending on where you are applying and the job you are applying for. Generally, you can expect at least one interview with a manager or team lead.
Panera Bread, for instance, allows you to apply online for many positions, and you can expect to hear from a manager within a few days asking to schedule an interview.
Hopefully, they contact you within a few days with a job offer, contingent on passing a drug test and background check.
For managerial positions, candidates may have more than one interview. Some candidates might be asked to participate in a group interview where multiple candidates will be interviewed simultaneously.
Basic Interview Questions
Panera Bread gauges a candidate’s personality, communication skills, and work ethic in the general interview. To prepare for a successful Panera Bread interview, familiarize yourself with some basic interview questions.
Is there anything that motivates you to perform well?
Working hard and seeing results can positively impact previous work experiences, so use examples from your past jobs to illustrate your drive and motivation. Teamwork is also a good idea to expound upon.
In your career, what has been your most significant achievement?
Mention an accomplishment that illustrates your leadership, problem-solving, or customer service skills. Even if not from a previous job, discuss an accomplishment from school or a volunteer opportunity.
How do you envision your future in three to five years?
As you answer this question, you will demonstrate your desire to progress in your career and learn new skills at the company. In addition, you will let them know that you are open to enhancing your current role.
When you had a difficult customer experience, how did you handle it?
This question evaluates your ability to serve customers and how you handle difficult situations. In answering this question, you can mention how you calmly addressed their concerns and went the extra mile to ensure their satisfaction.
In what ways do you excel, and where do you struggle?
The question tests your self-awareness and ability to articulate your capabilities and weaknesses. You can mention your strengths, such as communication skills. The alternative is to focus on a less critical skill; for example, I need to learn to delegate more responsibilities because I sometimes take on too much.
Job Roles – Interview Questions
The Panera Bread interview process may include questions about the position you are applying for. Here are some examples:
Baker
- Are you familiar with baking bread or pastries?
- Does working early morning shifts suit you?
- What was the most challenging baking project you ever worked on?
Cashier
- What do you do if a customer is demanding?
- Have you ever handled cash or operated a cash register before?
- What would you do if a customer complained about their order or there was a discrepancy?
Line cook
- Have you ever worked in a high-paced environment preparing food?
- How do you ensure your dishes are consistently high quality?
- Can you describe a time when you collaborated with another cook on an order?
Shift Supervisor
- To achieve goals and meet deadlines, how do you motivate and lead your team?
- Can you give an example of a difficult situation involving an employee or customer?
- What steps does your team take to ensure safety and protocol guidelines are followed?
Catering Coordinator
- What kind of event planning or catering experience do you have?
- Are you able to ensure a high level of quality and accuracy while managing time-sensitive catering orders?
- Can you provide an example of how you would handle a big event for a corporate client?
Preparing for the Job Interview
It is important to be well-prepared for the interview with Panera Bread. You want to appear confident and relaxed, so you can ace the interview by doing your homework!
Get to Know the Menu
Knowing what Panera Bread offers will demonstrate your seriousness about the position and interest in the company. Therefore, you should research the menu before attending an interview at Panera Bread.
Examine Employee-Customer Interactions
Stop by Panera before your interview to observe how the employees relate to customers. A company’s culture and values can be gleaned from this.
Practice Answering Interview Questions
Preparation for the interview can also include practicing with a friend or family member. This will help you feel less nervous and more prepared.
As Panera Bread interview questions revolve around customer service and teamwork, ensure you highlight these areas in your interview.
Interview Tips
You can wow interviewers at Panera Bread by following these tips:
- Dress appropriately – At Panera Bread, dress casually but professionally. (unless it is for a management role) When choosing an outfit, ensure you feel confident and well-dressed because it’s always better to overdress than to underdress. Don’t show too much skin, wear wrinkled clothes, or wear anything too flashy. See my articles, Job Interview Attire Tips for Men: Dress for Success or A Woman’s Guide To Style for Job Interviews.
- Arrive early – It is always a good idea to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your interview so you can find the location, park, and gather your thoughts. Arriving early demonstrates you are trustworthy, responsible, and respect other people’s time.
- Bring your resume and references with you – It is still a good idea to bring a copy of your resume and professional references, even if you have already submitted your application online. It will help you differentiate yourself as a proactive and competent candidate.
- Ask questions – A good interview is a two-way street, so ensuring the job is right for you is important. Examples of questions you might ask include:
- In this role, how does training work?
- What methods are used by team members to ensure all tasks are completed?
- Is there anything your employees struggle with, and how do they overcome it?
Next Steps
You can succeed in your interview at Panera Bread if you prepare well and show enthusiasm for the brand. Bring your friendly and outgoing personality and demonstrate your excitement for the position. Showcasing your knowledge and customer service skills can impress the interviewer with your upbeat attitude, thorough research, and team orientation.
To prepare thoroughly for your Panera Bread interview, you can ask our career coaches for personal advice. They can help you polish your resume and practice interview questions and answers with you.
Wishing you success!
